Electric snap-switch



(No Model.) l4.MBf rzfffBR.

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH.

No. 526,725 Patentedoot; 2, 1894.

WITNESSES; ipk/EN Tn f\ L UN ITED CSTATNES f PATENT OFFICE.

AMANDUS METZGER, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR '['O THE K GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SNAP-SWITCH.

srncinicaricn forming part of Letters ratent No. 526,725, dated october 2,1894.

Application filed May 11, 18,94. Serial No. 510,895. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, AMANDUs METZGER, `a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Snap Switches, 0f which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to snap switches for electric circuits, and has for its object to provide a snap switch which, in case of the handle being accidentally or otherwise attempted to be turned backward, will not be injured.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a snap switch con structed in accordance with this invention, showingthecasingand handleremoved. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the invention with cas` ing in vertical section, and Fig. 3 is a detail, partly in section, of a portion of the switch.

To illustrate the manner of carrying out the invention, the switch is constructed as follows:

A indicates a base of insulating material, provided with the two pairs of binding posts B, each pair being connected together by the metallic plates C.

D indicates a shaft which has its lower end pivoted in the base A and is provided with the handle E. Upon the shaft D is loosely mounted the ratchet plug Fof insulating material and preferably of porcelain, having the central hole F through which passes shaft D and its sides formed with the inclines f, alternately covered with the contact plates g, over which the spring contacts G, mounted on plates C, slip as the plug F is turned. The plug F is molded in one piece with a longitudinal ratchet face on its side and a ratchet face at one end.

In order that the switch may not be injured by an attempt to turn the handle backward, the construction shown in Figs. l and 3 is employed, by means of which the handle E and shaft D can be turned backward Without breaking or inj uring the switch. The top of plug F is formed with inclines h each of which is provided with a shoulder h. Within a recess I in the top of plug F is located the spring J, coiled about the shaft D and having one end secured to the shaft and the other end j projecting across one of the inclines 7i adjacent to its shoulder h and serving as a stop to limit the rotation of the tplug F in one direction.` It will be seen that `bynleansof this construction and arrange- 'ment, if the'shaft D be rotated by means of the handle E in a direction to cause the end j of spring J to press against a shoulder 7L', `the plug F will be rotated so as to permit the switch to operate; but ifthe handle E be turned in the opposite direction or backward, the shaft D rotating in the opposite direction, will carry with it the endj of spring J away from the shoulder 7i', and as the ro* tation continues, cause the endj to slip over the inclines and shoulders h' without engaging therewith. By this means the shaft D may be continuously rotated backward with out operating the switch or injuring it, the plug F remaining at rest.

By having a number of inclines 7L with shoulders h', not only will the end j of spring J be raised up as it is carried around from its starting point so as to be brought on a plane above the shoulders 7L', but also where the handle is accidentally turned backward and it is necessary to operate the switch quickly, the turn of the handle is shortened `in bringing it back to operative position, as

the endg of spring J Will not have t0 travel back the whole distance to its starting point, but only to the first shoulder 7L it arrives at.

What I claim isn 1. In an electric snap switch, the combination with a handle and pivoted` shaft, and a stop for the plug, secured to and vertically movable on the shaft, of a' ratchet plug, loosely mounted to tu-rn on the shaft, and spring contacts, said stop engaging the plug to operate the switch when the shaft is turned in one direction and permitting the shaft to be turned freely in the opposite direction without engaging the plug and not operating the switch.

An electric snap switch comprising a handle and shaft pivoted to the base, spring contacts, a plug having ratchet sides with alternate metallic plates and insulating faces with which the brushes engage, the plug being loosely mounted to turn on the shaft, and a spring mounted on and secured to theshaft and engaging the plug to rotate it in one ditoo rection and to move out of engagement therewith in'theopposite rotation of'theshaft.

3. An electric snap switch consisting of a handle and its shaft pivoted to the base, a ratchet loosely mounted to turn on the shaft, spring contacts in engagement with the ratchet, and a coiled spring mounted` on the' `4f. As a new article of manufacture, aratchet'y plug for'electric snap switches, formed ofal cylinder of porcelain or other insulatingmaterial. molded in one piece with a-longitudinal` ratchet face on its side ratchet faces at one end, and a central longitudinal passageway of. the passagewayandin the end of? the plug If surrounding said passageway.

5. An electricsnap switch, consstingvof a` I; handle and pivotedshaft, aspring stop made in one` piece and secured to the shaft, a ratchet plug loosely mounted -to turn on the shaft, and spring contacts, said spring stop engaging the plug to operate the switch when the shaft is turned in one direction and permitting the shaft to loe turned freely in the opposite directionwithout engaging the plug 'oroperating the switch. l

, 6. An electric snap switch consisting of a ``handle and pivoted shaft, a ratchet plug loosely mountedl to turn on the shaft, spring contacts; and a spring stop secured to the shaft, movable endwise thereof, and engaging the plug to operate the switch when the i shaft is turned' in one direction and permitting the shaft to be turned freely in the opposite direction. without engaging; the plug gor operating the switch. Y

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of May, 1894. for the handle shaftwitl1 afrecess at onevend.

AMAN-DUS METZ GER.

` Witnesses:

B. B. HULL,l 'A. F. MACDONALD. 

